Hanover High School Class of 2021 Update 5/12/21

Although the following information is primarily for seniors and families of seniors, I thought it might be helpful for some to send this annual communication school-wide.

That said - it seems that only a few months ago it was September.  Now, it’s less than a month to Graduation!  Recently, I met with the Class of 2021 to share some important details as we swing into the final weeks of their senior year.  Good judgment, as always, will be of utmost importance for every student!  

While this is one of the most exciting and memorable transitions for senior students, I am obligated to draw your attention to the Hanover High School student handbook.  With reference to graduation and upcoming senior events, the excerpt listed below underscores the importance of sound judgment and good choices: 

Graduation is a privilege, not a right.  The Principal has the prerogative to award the diploma at a later date….No disruption of the school will be tolerated at any time. Failure to comply can result in non-participation in graduation and withholding of the diploma until after graduation….Because the school is interested in maintaining the quality and integrity of its programs throughout the school year, infractions of school rules which occur after May 1st of any school year may be subject to further consequences...which include but are not limited to, removal from school activities, senior class activities and/or participation in graduation activities or ceremonies….

Please talk with your child about these consequences related to poor judgment and non-participation in these landmark events.

The following bullet points outline some of our scheduled events leading up to graduation.  View an additional summary of our Senior Class Schedule of Events.

• Friday, May 14^th is an early release day.  Schedule attached
• Our senior prom will be held on Saturday, May 15^th from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm here at Hanover High School.  Further details regarding senior prom are attached.
• Last year, we recognized that some senior events were “lost” to the pandemic; with recognition and respect, we held a “Town-Wide Senior Car Parade”.  We’ll do the same this year.  The parade is scheduled for next Thursday, May 20^th, and will depart promptly at 6:30 pm from Hanover High School.  Please see the attached for further details
• Last official day of senior classes is scheduled for Friday, May 21^st.  Seniors will have the opportunity to “work remotely” that day, if they choose.
• On Monday, May 24^th and Tuesday, May 25^th, we’ll be scheduling cap-and-gown distributions, guidance/student file closeouts, and debt collection procedures.  Allow me to draw your attention to our Student Handbook, which states in the Student Records section, “Graduating seniors will receive their Temporary Records with their caps and gowns during Senior Week.  This will include their Guidance records.”  Please be sure to keep these records with other important family documents as this is the only copy, and this is Hanover High School’s method of disposing of the documents in accordance with 603 CMR 23.06(3).  “Special Education records will be transferred to the Pupil Personnel Director’s office at the Salmond School where they will be maintained for seven (7) years.”
• Further senior week activities will take place between Wednesday, May 26^th and Friday, May 28^th.
• Senior Academic and Scholarship Awards Ceremonies will be held on the mornings of Tuesday, June 2^nd and Wednesday, June 3^rd.  By invitation, a portion of seniors receiving awards and scholarships will attend on Tuesday morning, while the second portion of recipients will attend on Wednesday morning.  We’ve sectioned this ceremony into 2 parts in order to safely accommodate family and guest attendance; otherwise, we would be unable to afford families the opportunity to participate.  As soon as awards and scholarships are finalized, parents of students who are receiving a scholarship or an award will receive a separate invitation allowing you to plan accordingly.  Invited students and their guests (At the moment, up to 2 people) should report to the auditorium at 8:15 am on the morning of their designated day.  
• Graduation rehearsals will be on Tuesday, June 1^st, Wednesday, June 2^nd, and Thursday, June 3^rd.  These are required and mandatory days of attendance.  Students should report to the auditorium no later than 10:00 am on these 3 rehearsal dates. 
• All Senior debt must be resolved by Tuesday, May 25^th.  If you are uncertain of any debt, there will be a list posted in the main office.  Students who do not clear up their debt will not be able to receive their caps and gowns.  Debt includes return of library books, money for lost books, classroom books, and chromebooks.

We look forward to seeing you at Graduation exercises on Friday, June 4^th at 6:30 pm.  Graduates must report to the auditorium at 5:30 pm.  (I'll send more information on graduation in the coming days).  Currently, Graduation is scheduled outside on the Harry Gerrish Memorial Field at Hanover High School.  Each graduate will be allowed to have no more than 6 guests, and seating will be arranged as such.   In the event of inclement weather, we will either adjust the time of graduation - or, if necessary, the day.  We will make every effort to avoid an in-door graduation.

On behalf of the entire HHS administration, faculty, and staff, we wish to congratulate you and your child at this special time of year.

If you have questions, concerns, or just need more information, please don’t hesitate to call (781-878-5450) or email us.

Sincerely,

Matthew J. Paquette
Principal